Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are cells that have detached from a primary tumour, circulate in the peripheral blood, and are considered to be the main root of distant metastases. We present a method for the detection of CTCs by real-time PCR on different cytokeratin markers. Blood samples of a healthy ...

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a substrate of both cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), some of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these genes are associated with interindividual variations in CsA pharmacokinetics. We studied the influence of these SNPs on the incidence of rejection and CsA nephrotoxicity, as well ...

Intraperitoneal carcinmatosis and intra-abdominal tumour cell dissemination may occur with several tumour entities. At this final stage of the tumour disease, systemic chemotherapy remains only palliative and may be accompanied by severe side-effects. Alternatively, compartment-based therapy by intraperitoneal (i.p.) instillation of doxorubicin drug-eluting beads (dox-DEB) has been proposed. Here we ...

Bone is a preferred target for circulating metastatic breast cancer cells. We found that the CD9 protein was up-regulated in the B02 osteotropic cell line, derived from the aggressive parental MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. Here, we investigated the putative relationship between CD9 expression and the osteotropic phenotype. Overexpression of ...

Aim: The study aimed at the evaluation of the effects of radiotherapy on expression of metallothionein (MT) isoforms, both in the form of quantitative alterations in mRNA, and differences in expression of MTI/II proteins in rectal tumours. Material for the study originated from 21 patients with rectal cancer at stage ...

This retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with hepatic metastases from gastric or gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma who were treated with computed tomography-guided high-dose-rate brachytherapy (CT-HDRBT). Eight patients with a total number of 12 isolated hepatic metastases from histologically-proven adenocarcinoma of the lower oesophagus or stomach, were ...

Background: Accurate mass based LC-MS combined with statistical analysis is established as a core analytical technology for metabonomic studies. This is primarily due to the specificity, sensitivity and structural elucidation capabilities of the technology. The vast majority of these studies are performed using acidic-based mobile phases in combination with positive ...

The precise mechanisms responsible for the development and growth of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) remain unclear. Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphorylated glycoprotein with diverse functions. This study aimed to analyze the expression of OPN in human brain AVMs. The AVM nidus was surgically obtained from patients with AVM, whereas control ...

Anoikis, or detachment-induced apoptosis, is recognized as a key inhibitory process of cancer metastasis. Since lung cancer cells possess an ability to resist anoikis, resulting in a high rate of metastasis and death, the present study aimed to investigate the possible anoikis-sensitizing effect of artonin E (AE). AE was extracted ...

Postpneumonectomy syndrome is a rare entity in children. We report a case secondary to pneumonectomy performed due to an intrathoracic tumor. A 4-year-old boy with a history of right pneumonectomy and progressive respiratory distress, with extrinsic airway obstruction due to displaced mediastinal structures. There were failure to intubate the airway ...

Diabetes management could be improved by diabetes education, through influencing attitudes towards diabetes, knowledge and behaviors of patients. The purpose of this study was to characterize the impact of diabetes education on glycemic control, and to assess the attitude, knowledge and self-care behavior in patients with type 2 diabetes in ...

The aim of this study was to investigate whether menatetrenone (MNT) suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence in patients undergoing hepatectomy. Between January 2005 and September 2009, 101 patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for primary HCC were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: a non-MNT group (n=51), ...

To review published clinical studies having compared fluoroquinolones with fortified antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial keratitis. Systematic review of randomized and nonrandomized trials published between 1991 and 2011, and meta-analysis of efficacy results. Eight randomized and 5 nonrandomized studies comparing the efficacy and safety of fortified antibiotics or fluoroquinolones ...

Bevacizumab is used to treat patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, including those who will undergo liver surgery. The effects of this agent on the regenerative capacity of the liver are unclear. We used a rabbit model of partial hepatectomy to assess the effects of bevacizumab on hepatocyte replication and the ...

Bicalutamide (BIC) is an alternative treatment to castration for advanced prostate cancer. Breast events are common adverse effects which can be effectively prevented by the concurrent administration of tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator. We investigated the effects of BIC, 4-hydroxy Tamoxifen (4OHT), the active metabolite of tamoxifen, and their ...

Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that prevents angiogenesis by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) activity. Clinically, it has been used to treat a diverse range of cancer types. In this pilot phase II study, we investigated the efficacy and safety profiles of bevacizumab in combination with docetaxel plus cisplatin ...

Carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) has been found to be one of most powerful biomarkers for clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The serum CA9 is detectable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential prognostic role of serum CA9 in patients with metastatic clear-cell RCC patients under targeted therapy. ...

A simple, precise and sensitive HPLC method has been developed for simultaneous determination of carvedilol and losartan in human plasma and urine samples. The analytes were extracted by a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method. A mobile phase of 15 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 4.0)/acetonitrile/2-propanol (70/27.5/2.5, v/v/v) was used to ...

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) is the second most common type of primary liver cancer, and is associated with a high rate of mortality due to the difficulty of early detection and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. To evaluate the possibility for new therapeutic strategies, we examined the combined effect of gefitinib and gemcitabine ...

Lymphedema is the edema that results from chronic lymphatic insufficiency. Lymphatic filariasis is caused by the filarial nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. Lymphatic filariasis is common in tropical and subtropical regions. Early diagnosis and prompt therapy can be implemented using lymphoscintigraphy. Our patient is a 15-year-old boy ...

There has been a significant increase in the number of published peer-reviewed articles on breastfeeding over the last two decades. However, in part because of the lack of clear or consistent definitions used in these publications, generalization and comparison of findings have been difficult, and interpretation of findings is often ...

Voltage-gated K(+) (Kv) channels are known to be associated with the proliferation of several types of cancer cells, including lung adenocarcinoma cells, and certain Kv channel blockers inhibit cancer cell proliferation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Kv channel blockers in gefitinib-resistant H460 non-small cell lung cancer ...

Understanding whether M dwarf stars may host habitable planets with Earth-like atmospheres and biospheres is a major goal in exoplanet research. If such planets exist, the question remains as to whether they could be identified via spectral signatures of biomarkers. Such planets may be exposed to extreme intensities of cosmic ...

In this issue (beginning on page 1368), Kreul and colleagues report a retrospective review of long-term efficacy and toxicity for subjects participating in a phase III study of difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) for prevention of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). They conclude that those treated with DFMO had a nonsignificant, persistent decrease in ...

Objectives: There is limited epidemiological data on the performance of different refrigerator types for vaccine storage in the real world. This study aims to measure if the introduction of purpose-built vaccine refrigerators has reduced the cost of vaccine losses in South Australia. Methods: Data were taken from a register for ...

Objectives: To explore the cross-sectional association between alcohol outlet density and police events in Manukau City, New Zealand. Methods: Using data for the Census Area Unit (suburb) level, per-capita measures of alcohol outlet density for January 2009 were calculated for off-licence outlets, clubs and bars, and restaurants and cafés. Data ...

Objective: In Australia, many health researchers and policy makers are advocating for mandated warning labels on alcoholic beverages. Alcohol-related harms are of particular concern among adolescents. The aim of this article was to review the available literature and evaluate the impact of alcohol warning labels on adolescent drinking, knowledge and ...

Objective: To describe television news coverage between 2005 and 2010 of alcohol, health and relevant alcohol-control policies, with a view to informing policy advocacy. Methods: A content analysis of all alcohol stories archived by the Australian Health News Research Collaboration. We recorded what triggered a news item, the main topics ...

To compare two surveys conducted in 2007 and 2009, of the food and nutrition environment in New Zealand primary schools. A sample of primary schools was asked about foods and beverages provided or sold to students or used for fundraising, and nutrition-related policies and procedures. Comparisons were made between school ...

Various drugs may cause thyroid dysfunction. The drugs which may cause thyrotoxicosis include interferon, molecular-targeted agents, amiodarone, thyroid hormone itself and so on. Those which cause hypothyroidism include anti-thyroid drugs, lithium and iodine etc. which inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion, and dopamine etc. which block TSH secretion. Those drugs ...

The aim of this review was to explore the current literature about working as a nurse in the emergency department (ED) during a disaster. Nurses play an important role in caring for patients that present to the ED following a disaster. While there is a great deal of literature written ...

Mr. WANG Le-ting attaches great importance to accurate differentiation of syndromes, strict selection of acupoints, technique and direction of needle insertion, clear reinforcing and reducing methods after the appearance of needling sensations, proper opportunities of manipulations as well as needle withdrawal techniques, and reasonable application of acupuncture and moxibustion respectively. ...

To assess the necessity of detecting the gene of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator factor (CFTR) in Chinese men with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD). We detected the mutation of all the 27 exons of the CFTR gene in 9 patients with CBAVD by DNA sequencing, and ...

Nonlinear optical imaging modalities (multiphoton excited fluorescence, second and third harmonic generation) applied in vivo are increasingly promising for clinical diagnostics and the monitoring of cancer and other disorders, as they can probe tissue with high diffraction-limited resolution at near-infrared (IR) wavelengths. However, high peak intensity of femtosecond laser pulses ...

Due to the widespread use of neck ultrasonography, physicians often encounter thyroid nodules in daily clinical settings. Most of them are benign such as adenomatous goiter or follicular adenoma; however, some malignant tumors can be contaminated. Thyroid malignancies are classified into several histological varieties including papillary, follicular, anaplastic, medullary thyroid ...

The Clinical Team Coordinator (CTC) is a senior experienced nurse from the Emergency Department (ED) that provides an after-hours clinical supervision and liaison service for the entire hospital. The role guides and supports nursing and junior medical staff regarding clinical and hospital procedures, protocols and individual patient problems and assists ...

Myxedema coma is defined as severe hypothyroidism leading to decreased mental status, hypothermia, and other symptoms related to dysfunction in multiple organs. It is very rare disease with high mortality rate. Early recognition and therapy of myxedema coma are essential, and treatment should be begun on the basis of clinical ...

To explore the effective therapeutic method in the treatment of idiopathic sudden hearing loss (ISHL). One hundred and eighty-eight cases of ISHL were randomized into a warming-promoting needling group (74 cases), a conventional acupuncture group (56 cases) and a medication group (58 cases). In the conventional acupuncture group, the conventional ...

As policymakers seek to rein in the nation's escalating health care costs, one area deserving attention is the health system's costly environmental footprint. This study examines data from selected hospitals that have implemented programs to reduce energy use and waste and achieve operating room supply efficiencies. After standardizing metrics across ...

In terms of the partiality and limitation in the teaching of meridians, collaterals and acupoints at present, it is required to construct the clinical thinking system of pattern/syndrome differentiation according to meridians and collaterals, the locations of acupoints and acupoint selection according to pattern/syndrome determination, to standardize acupoint selection and ...

To observe the efficacy differences among acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36), dolantin and scopolamine in treatment of acute renal colic, and to verify the clinical effect of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36). Two hundred and forty patients were randomly divided into an ...